Tony Swartz is an experienced lawyer in Washington State. He has handled an estimated 10,000+ criminal cases in his collective career. He has also dealt with various types of other cases, including administrative law hearings, Superior Court cases, District Court cases, and more. In addition to his legal practice, he is recognized as an expert in the field and routinely teaches classes at both Central Washington University and Yakima Valley College. He is a member of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and is a featured lawyer on Avvo.com's directory and various other lawyer websites.
Legal Experience
Attorney (Law Office of Tony Swartz)
As a private attorney, Tony represents clients on a private basis with a focus on DUIs and misdemeanor crimes. In criminal courts, he represents clients charged with DUIs and other misdemeanors. He also focuses a small portion of his time on a civil practice in areas involving estate planning, businesses and nonprofits.
Pro Tem Judge
Tony serves as an occasional pro tem judge for District Court cases. His past work includes protection order/restraining order hearings, arraignments, contested infraction hearings, and small claims hearings. He also has experience as pro tem judge in longer hearings such as a 2 day jury trial.
Previous Experience:
City Prosecutor, Deputy County Prosecutor and Coroner
Prosecuted misdemeanors and probation violations in District Court for the State of Washington as a Deputy Prosecutor. Conducted on-call coroner investigations for Kittitas County deaths on a rotating basis as Deputy Prosecutor as well. As former City Prosecutor for the Cities of Cle Elum and Roslyn, Ellensburg and also Wapato, Tony has extensive experience in municipal court misdemeanors and probation violations.
Certified Law Clerk and Mediator
Prosecuted misdemeanors and probation violations for the State of Oregon. Completed independent bench trials, independent jury trials, and various motions/pleas/sentencing. Independently mediated small claims cases and co-mediated forced entry and detainer cases.
Other Experience
Other Training/Certifications
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ARIDE course completion
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test course completion
- Business Law and Nonprofit Law Wayfind Cohort - 2016
- Mediation Training - 2015
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy's Trial Skills - 2013
- Certificate in Dispute Resolution - Willamette University - 2012
Teaching
- Law and Justice, Entrepreneur, and Management (College of Business) Instructor - Central Washington University
- Business Law Instructor - Yakima Valley Community College
Education
Willamette University
Obtained a juris doctorate and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution. Led the Public Interest Law Project group as President, served on the Executive Committee of the Moot Court Board, and participated in various other extra-curricular activities.
Central Washington University
Obtained a bachelor of arts degree in Law and Justice. Participated in various extra-curricular activities, including founding CWU's mock trial team.
Recent Blog Posts
Motion to Dismiss as Defense Strategy in Washington State Criminal Cases
Ellensburg, WA Lawyer for Power of Attorney
Yakima Criminal Defense Lawyer: Understanding Your Right to a Jury Trial
Understanding Miranda Rights in Kittitas County or Yakima County DUI cases
Probation Violations in Washington and Urine Tests
Recommendations
- Tony worked on my case for 9 months and was able to change the entire outcome of it for the better. Highly recommended if you are ever looking for a lawyer.
- Really helped me with my case and was always on top of things. Always gave me the best solutions to be able to put me on a good standing with the judge. Would recommend a friend and would go to him again if needed.
- Tony represented me in a court case. He was helpful in informing me on the process and what I needed to do. He also kept me informed through text messaging, emails and his web site. I would use his services again if I needed.
- I had an excellent experience with Tony. His communication was always timely and informative. He cares for his clients and will go above and beyond to ensure you leave with the best possible outcome. Would recommend to anyone!
- Tony is an awesome attorney. The client portal he uses makes communication, document uploading and progress tracking simple and easy. He doesn't hesitate to take the time to explain things in a way that's easy to understand, and he doesn't rush you through questions. He made a rough and scary sit...
- I am truly glad that I met Tony and he represented me he was very professional and kind. He was affordable, prompt and worked hard on my case. I hope to never need a lawyer again but if I did hands down it would be Tony!!
- When our family needed the help of an attorney for a unique [criminal case] situation, several friends that work in various aspects of the court system recommended we contact Tony Swartz. After our initial consultation, Tony agreed to take our case. He researched similar cases, case histories, we...
- If not for Tony Swartz and his team, I am positive the outcome of my case would have been more harsh and twice as expensive. [His] professionalism and knowledge of the legal system in the county and state confirmed I was in the right hands. His pro-active approach had me completing things well be...
- Experienced and professional. I would recommend Tony to anyone needing legal council. My case was dropped and it was overall a good experience, in spite of the initial situation, because of Tony Swartz.
- Really happy that I chose Tony to represent me! He was very thorough and explained every step of the process to me in detail. Everything ended up panning out exactly as he had me expecting. He always responded to my questions/concerns and his reputation with the prosecutors and judges in Ellensbu...
- Tony was fantastic to work with. Once he took my case, he ran with it and nothing more was needed from me. He handled it all. Very simple process that ended with the best possible result.
- He communicated with me directly himself, even provided me with his personal phone number (not just a office number) for communication. It was as though he was your friend and not some high rolling attorney that was more important, For me as a business owner myself that was very nice, professiona...
- Tony was there for me every step of the way. His process is real, effective, and understanding. He was easy to contact when I needed help and he always had the answers. Honestly, I can't thank him enough for what he did for me. His process made me a better person.
- He dismissed my case so quickly and easily AND waived the second half of my payment since it was more simple than anticipated!
- Tony was able to get all my charges dropped to literally nothing! He worked hard on my case and kept in great contact with me and was very understanding of my unique circumstances. I would definitely use him again!
- Considerate, and competent. Tony responds in a timely matter, and keeps you posted on your case progress. Well worth his very fair legal fees. If you need a traffic attorney, he is definitely our recommendation.
- Hired Tony for a doozy of a traffic ticket, he took over my representation completely and I received an email a month later that the ticket was completely dismissed! Couldn't be happier or recommend more, saved me the headache of it all! Thanks again!
- Tony Swartz is the best lawyer you can get in Ellensburg!! He represented my family member for two tickets in the court and got both of them dismissed!! Tony was very transparent and very professional with his communication with explaining pros and cons of different outcomes. Overall, he is an AW...
- The BEST legal representation I've ever had. Good attitude, knows the legal system, respectful, informative and WILL do what needs to be done. Reasonable fees, money WELL spent.